HIStory: Past, Present and Future, Book I | ||||
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Studio album / Greatest hits by Michael Jackson | ||||
Released | June 18, 1995 | |||
Recorded | 1978–95 | |||
Genre | ||||
Length | 148:58 | |||
Label | ||||
Producer | ||||
Michael Jackson chronology | ||||
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Singles from HIStory: Past, Present and Future, Book I | ||||
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Professional ratings | |
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Review scores | |
Source | Rating |
AllMusic | |
Robert Christgau | |
Entertainment Weekly | B |
Q | |
The Rolling Stone Album Guide | |
Rolling Stone |
HIStory: Past, Present and Future, Book I (usually shortened to HIStory) is the ninth studio album by American recording artist Michael Jackson, released on June 18, 1995. It was Jackson's fifth album released through Epic Records, and the first released on his label MJJ Productions. HIStory consists of two discs: the first, HIStory Begins, is a greatest hits compilation; the second, HIStory Continues, comprises new material written and produced by Jackson and collaborators. The themes include environmental awareness, isolation, greed, suicide, and injustice, and Jackson's conflicts with the media.
HIStory attracted some controversy. Jackson rerecorded some lyrics in "They Don't Care About Us" after he was accused of antisemitism, and contributor R. Kelly was accused of having plagiarized one of the album's songs, "You Are Not Alone", leading to its banning on Belgian radio.
HIStory debuted at number one in countries including the United States, Canada, Australia, France and the United Kingdom, and charted in the top ten in Spain, India and Mexico. By 1997 it had been certified six times platinum in Europe, making it the best-selling album of the year in the combined European market.The album received generally positive reviews was nominated for five Grammy Awards, winning one for Best Music Video – Short Form for "Scream".